In the Aisne-Marne campaign, Charles Edward Dilkes wrote: “That noon we heard the Boche coming, blowing the ground up at a lively rate. The Boche seemed to think a relief was taking place so sent a barrage over to advance the attack. As we were directly behind the infantry, we felt the time for action had come. Orders were hastened to load and fix bayonets. Here for the first time I bade good-bye to my notes on this diary, burying this book alongside my trench, fearing its capture by the Germans in case of a successful attack by them. The Americans immediately counterattacked…”

Memoirs

Remembering World War I: An Engineer’s Diary of the War is a story of raw war emotions expressed by a volunteer combat engineer, Charles Edward Dilkes, who left the comforts of high society to shoulder a shovel and a rifle while serving his country. His emotions slowly evolve from patriotic fervor to the reality of the true cost of freedom, which he experienced in the carnage of war. Once committed to the war effort, Charles Edward Dilkes displayed firm resolve.